Nude nails can be a perfectionist's nightmare, said InStyle's February 2013 issue. Some colors contain titanium dioxide, a chalky ingredient that leaves streaks.
To prevent this, nail tech Marian Newman, who painted models' tips at Donna Karan, suggests applying a layer of polish and then a thin layer of matte base to help the next coat of color adhere and go on evenly.
Recommended is CND's Stickey base coat. With its thin consistency, this base coat dries in a flash.